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Police Urge Drivers To Move Over, Slow Down

State Law Requires Drivers To Move Over When Emergency Vehicles Stopped

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Updated: 5:57 AM EDT Jul 27, 2010

Police Urge Drivers To Move Over, Slow Down

State Law Requires Drivers To Move Over When Emergency Vehicles Stopped

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Updated: 5:57 AM EDT Jul 27, 2010

NASHUA, N.H. —

Police in New Hampshire and Massachusetts are starting to crack down on drivers who fail to move over when emergency vehicles are stopped on the side of the road.

State police said there are about 25 accidents a year in which troopers or their vehicles are struck by other vehicles when stopped at construction details or traffic stops.

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Sometimes, the accidents can be serious. On July 17, a Massachusetts state trooper was sitting in his cruiser after pulling over a motorist, and another car smashed into the cruiser. The driver was cited for DWI, but police said driver inattention is a big factor in many of the accidents.

New Hampshire and Massachusetts police said they are trying to make drivers aware of the law that requires them to move over a lane when they see emergency lights flashing. They said they will also enforce the law more vigorously.

Trooper Thomas Lencki said he was lucky to escape with minor injuries when his cruiser was hit in 2003.

"I noticed an SUV coming into the breakdown lane at a high rate of speed," he said. "I was able to move a little bit to protect myself and the woman, and he hit me at about 78 mph, pushed me into the Jersey barrier and then pushed me into her."

Police said motorists frequently complain that it's impossible for them to move over because of traffic. They said in that case, drivers should slow down or be subject to a fine. There is no standard fine in New Hampshire, and a judge decides the punishment.